One of the most influential Republicans is drafting a House bill that would permit Ohio residents to engage in online gambling beyond sports betting. The legislation could soon enable Ohio players to access virtual poker or other casino games on their phones or laptops.

Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) has confirmed that he is working on a bill to establish iGaming in Ohio and generate additional revenue for the state. Stewart is the chair of the House Finance Committee and the sponsor of House Bill 96, the House version of the two-year state budget.

Republicans approved House Bill 96 after making significant changes to Governor Mike DeWine’s initial budget, including removing a doubling of the tax on sports gambling operators intended to create a sports facilities fund.

State Legislators Show Signs Of Support

State legislators are not new to the concept of casino-style games or lottery games online. Two years ago, a commission was established in the current budget and approved to investigate the idea. A report was issued last July.

Three Republican lawmakers on that panel stated in the report that other states that legalized iGaming, iLottery, or both experienced “substantial increases in tax revenues generated with greater participation.” However, Representatives Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp..), Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), and former Representative Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) also observed that in-person sales of lottery games increased as well.

Lawmakers noted that additional tax revenue benefits to the state and funding could be provided to the K-12 education system, and should not be overlooked. However, lawmakers cautioned that implementing iGaming or iLottery should not negatively impact Ohio’s existing brick-and-mortar casinos and racinos. The industry has expressed concerns about how internet gambling might affect traffic at its four casinos and seven racinos.

The Ohio Senate is reviewing the budget and considering an iGaming bill. House Republicans had removed DeWine’s tax increases on sports gambling operators, marijuana, and cigarettes, stating they were not interested in raising any taxes.

However, the House budget did not include an income tax reduction. An income tax cut or revision has been included in the last seven state budgets.

Offshore Casinos Operating To OH Players

For most Ohio players, the addition of domestic online casino and poker services will just expand their options, as offshore casinos have been accepting players since the late 1990s.

Offshore casinos operate from outside the state to avoid local laws and restrictions enforced on domestic services. In Ohio, there are no gambling laws that explicitly make online gambling illegal; however, laws are preventing domestic casinos from operating online in the state.

Popular online casino games include blackjack betting, roulette, video poker, live dealer games, slots, and specialty games. Ohio players also like the incorporation of cryptocurrencies as the digital assets offer higher bonuses, and of course, crypto payouts.

The Hard Rock Casino just north of Sacramento at Fire Mountain recently announced that it plans to expand.

The casino, located at 3317 Forty Mile Rd, Wheatland, CA, recently acquired 350 acres between the casino and the Toyota Amphitheatre. The land has been undeveloped for years and is now expected to be transformed into a premier tourist destination. The Toyota Amphitheatre is an 18k+ outdoor venue in Yuba County and generally hosts rock and country concerts.

Some proposed ideas for the land include a festival entertainment district, a rodeo space, sports facilities, and resort amenities. There will also likely be retail and dining facilities, walking paths, and a possible stadium or fairground area. District 4 Yuba County Supervisor Gary Bradford stated, “It will bring thousands of jobs and enhance the quality of life for existing residents by increasing local dining, entertainment, and retail options.”

The Hard Rock at Fire Mountain opened in 2019 and has already contributed approximately $2.5 billion to the local economy. The Hard Rock Casino is located on tribal land, but the new developments will not be. Therefore, the community is set to benefit even more from regular sales and property tax revenue.

Officials said construction could take 5-10 years to complete, and the new developments could cost anywhere from $2-4 billion USD. Construction could also begin as early as 2026.

California Local Casinos

California has no casinos, as all are on federal land and governed by the tribes and the federal government. However, there are currently more than 75 tribal casinos in operation in California, all of which are located outside of the major metropolitan areas.

Recently, several tribal casinos have lobbied for more favorable land to be included in their trust, and while approved by the Biden Administration, a new legal battle is ongoing.

Online California Casinos

While casinos located in California are not permitted to offer their services online, offshore casinos have been accepting players for years. Since no specific gambling laws forbid out-of-state online casinos from accepting CA players.

Online casinos typically offer the same gaming options as Vegas casinos, including slots, video poker, keno, blackjack, roulette, and more. However, online casino games often accept lower buy-ins because they are powered by random number generators, not live dealers.

To further gain players’ trust, legitimate casinos will complete compliance checks that test the games for fairness. They also further ensure that online firewalls and encryption methods are working correctly.

Star Entertainment, Australia’s second-largest casino operator, has accepted a rescue package from US-based Bally’s. The package will transfer control of the group and allow the company to stay afloat.

Star Entertainment has been fighting bankruptcy for years following money laundering allegations, leading to several lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny. The company has been on the brink of collapse for years and is still suspended from trading on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Star Entertainment Group operates three hotel and casino complexes in Australia: The Star Sydney, The Star Gold Coast, and Treasury Casino and Hotel in Brisbane.

Star chief executive Steve McCann has been looking for a long-term solution since he took the job last July. McCann secured an additional loan of $100 million from existing lenders but failed to meet the contingent terms of the loan.

Bally’s currently owns 19 casinos in the United States and other entertainment assets. Soo Kim, Bally’s chairman, agreed to the rescue package in exchange for at least a 50.1% stake in Star. “We are usually the buyer of last resort,” Kim told The Australian Financial Review in March.

Are Offshore Casinos Available Online?

Yes, in the United States, almost all online casinos are offshore because only a handful of states have passed online gambling legislation. Since no federal or state laws prevent Americans from accessing online casino sites, US players can freely wager online with the site of their choice.

However, offshore casinos that operate online are not all the same. Most sites have various banking options US players can access, bonus options, and bet limits. For most players, Bitcoin is the best banking option, allowing for fast transactions that often avoid processing fees.

What Casino Games Can I Play Online?

Online casinos offer the same games you would expect in Vegas, including blackjack, roulette, video poker, and specialty games. Some sites even have live table games where you can choose your seat and bet against a dealer via a video/audio feed.

Online casinos also take it further with tournaments and game-specific competitions. You can also find slot bonuses, hot drop jackpots, progressives, and more. With game libraries that host hundreds of slot titles, seeing the game that suits you is just a few clicks away.